🎩 Pass the Hat: Contributions and Collections Made Witty and Wise 🎩
Ah, ‘pass the hat, to’—an idiom as quaint as tea cozies and as necessary as Wi-Fi (well, almost). This phrase means to take up a collection and ask for contributions, originating quite literally from the practice of circulating a hat to gather money at social gatherings. Hats were where the cash was stashed, whether you were a street minstrel or a local charity’s best friend.
Similar Terms & Synonyms:
- Raise funds
- Go fund me (informally modern)
- Day of giving
- Charity drive
- Whip-round (United Kingdom)
Antonyms:
- Keep to oneself
- Go dark (when it comes to not asking for funds)
- Clam up
Humorous Quotes & Proverbs:
- “If at first you don’t succeed, pass the hat and try again.”
- “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can help fund the pursuit.”
Related Proverbs & Sayings:
- “Every penny counts.”
- “Many hands make light work—but many hands passing a hat makes heavy funds.”
Recommended Literature & Films:
- Books: A River Out of Eden by John Hockenberry, exploring societal contributions in more ways than one.
- Films: The Monuments Men (2014) directed by George Clooney, for a tale where collecting resources was as noble as the cause.
- Songs: “With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles—a moral support version of passing the hat!
- Poetry: Consider Emily Dickinson’s engaging simplicity in “The Bustle in a House.”
### Which idiom means to take up a collection?
- [x] Pass the hat
- [ ] Basket brigade
- [ ] Animated purse string
- [ ] Monkey in the middle
> **Explanation:** "Pass the hat" is the idiom that means to take up a collection. The others are just playful musings!
### What is another way to say "pass the hat" commonly used in the UK?
- [ ] Flop the topper
- [x] Whip-round
- [ ] Cap and share
- [ ] Topper toss
> **Explanation:** "Whip-round" is a British term meaning the same as "pass the hat". Jolly good!
### True or False: 'Pass the hat' can be traced back to street minstrels collecting money.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True! Street minstrels often started the tradition by passing their hat around for contributions.
### Identify the synonym for "pass the hat":
- [ ] Dive for pennies
- [ ] Tighten purse strings
- [x] Raise funds
- [ ] Cash cushion
> **Explanation:** "Raise funds" is a synonym for "pass the hat". The others? Not at all!
### Which song can metaphorically be associated with 'passing the hat'?
- [x] "With A Little Help From My Friends" by The Beatles
- [ ] "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses
- [ ] "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
- [ ] "Under Pressure" by Queen & David Bowie
> **Explanation:** "With A Little Help From My Friends" aptly fits the spirit of mutual support akin to passing the hat!
Inspirational Farewell:
May your journey through words be as fruitful as a filled hat after a cheerful gathering. Language is but a hat passed across generations—stuff it with wisdom and wit, and the world will always be richer for it.
Phil N. Thropic
